This paper was presented at the
National Seminar on
Indian Psychology: Theories and Models
SVYASA, Bangalore,
December 26 - 28, 2007
 

Indian Psychology or Greater Psychology & era of emotional intelligence

Mala Kapadia

It has been said that the next phase of human evolution will depend upon a decline in egoistical competitiveness and an increase in collectivity, not in the form of totalitarianism, but as an expanded sense of Self.  

There are half a million web pages on “emotional intelligence.” The conclusion: There is an intelligence based on emotion, and people who have this capacity are less depressed, healthier, more employable, and have better relationships. The field of management is now rediscovering science of psychology from very different perspectives- well-being of individual resulting in organizational effectiveness.

Yogic Psychology has elaborated on how our emotional, biological states, mental activities and dominance of sattva, rajas, and tamas in different combination create emotional numbness to spiritual intelligence. Sage Patanjali and Sri Aurobindo’s Purna Yoga has scientifically given understanding of emotions, its happenings in body-brain and mind, co-relation with levels of consciousness through combination of sattva, rajas and tamas.

Emotional intelligence is delayering beliefs, labels and images that we view as our personality. That core is our reservoir of emotional energy of Joy and peace and compassion. I personally feel that our emotional numbness comes out of tamas and emotional hijacking happens due to strong rajas. I define Emotional Intelligence as short cut to wisdom. The world of management can integrate this knowledge from selection of employees to motivation and learning and development. The next era is certainly the one of Indian psychology in center stage of management wisdom.

Email the author, Dr. Mala Kapadia, at mala111@gmail.com